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first-btop-project-connects-rural-north-georgia-communities
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 16, 2013

First BTOP Project Connects Rural North Georgia Communities

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/first-btop-project-connects-rural-north-georgia-communities

Back in December, 2009, Vice President Biden travelled to Dawsonville, Georgia, to officially kick off the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) program. The first award, a grant of $33.5 million, went to the North Georgia Network Cooperative. The group combined that grant with local and state funding and in May, 2012, lit the North… Continue reading

north-georgia-network-brings-gig-to-schools-jobs-to-region-community-broadband-bits-episode-46
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 14, 2013

North Georgia Network Brings Gig to Schools, Jobs to Region – Community Broadband Bits Episode #46

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/north-georgia-network-brings-gig-schools-jobs-region-community-broadband-bits-episode-46

The North Georgia Network was the first recipient of a BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) stimulus grant in the nation and has been an interesting success story. For the latest episode of our Community Broadband Bits podcast, President and CEO Paul Belk of the NGN joins us to discuss the history, present, and future of… Continue reading

in-kansas-ottawa-launches-own-fiber-optic-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 25, 2013

In Kansas, Ottawa Launches Own Fiber Optic Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/kansas-ottawa-launches-own-fiber-optic-network

Ottawa, located in east central Kansas, recently launched its own municipal fiber network. The community of 13,000 in Franklin County watched nearby Chanute build and establish its own broadband utility. Ottawa plans a similar incremental strategy. Both communities boast strong farming traditions and host industrial employers that could not get what they needed from the… Continue reading

lake-county-project-moves-forward-despite-delays
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 24, 2013

Lake County Project Moves Forward Despite Delays

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/lake-county-project-moves-forward-despite-delays

After many delays, Lake County is now in the process of hanging in fiber for its extensive fiber optic network project called Lake Connections. A recent report from WDIO.com in Duluth reminds us that Mediacom and other opponents of the project have continued to obstruct the progress of a network that will connect thousands of… Continue reading

carroll-county-explains-many-benefits-of-county-owned-fiber-community-broadband-bits-43
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 23, 2013

Carroll County Explains Many Benefits of County Owned Fiber – Community Broadband Bits #43

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/carroll-county-explains-many-benefits-county-owned-fiber-community-broadband-bits-43

Chief Information Officer for the Carroll County Public Schools Gary Davis joins me to explain why the Carroll County Government, Public Schools, Public Library, and Community College partnered to build their own fiber optic network. He is also the Chairman of the resulting Carroll County Public Network (CCPN) of Maryland. The story starts the same… Continue reading

massbroadband-123-lights-up-in-rural-massachusetts
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 12, 2013

MassBroadband 123 Lights Up in Rural Massachusetts

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/massbroadband-123-lights-rural-massachusetts

The Massachusetts Broadband Initiative’s (MBI) MassBroadband 123 network is becoming a reality. On March 28th, MBI lit up the first 35-mile stretch, linking Sandisfield, traveling through Otis, and connecting at the Springfield Technical Community College Technology Park hub. The inaugural connection was the first in a series of build outs that are scheduled to be… Continue reading

emmetsburg-iowa-on-its-way-to-community-owned-fiber-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 10, 2013

Emmetsburg, Iowa, on its Way to Community Owned Fiber Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/emmetsburg-iowa-its-way-community-owned-fiber-network

Flash back to May 5, 1998 and the community of Emmetsburg, Iowa. This town of just under 4,000 people voted to establish a municipal cable communications or television system. It has taken fifteen years, but Emmetsburg is on the verge of joining the many other Iowa communities with municipal networks. Jane Whitmore of the Emmetsburg… Continue reading

spencer-iowa-upgrading-from-cable-to-fiber
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 3, 2013

Spencer, Iowa, Upgrading from Cable to Fiber

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/spencer-iowa-upgrading-cable-fiber

Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) of Spencer, Iowa, will be replacing old copper cable with fiber this summer. According to the Daily Reporter, customers can expect the upgrade with no increase in rates. From the article: “Just like internet service has evolved from dial up to DSL and cable modem, fiber will give customers the next… Continue reading

level-playing-field-padded-with-public-dollars-to-private-providers
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 2, 2013

“Level Playing Field” Padded With Public Dollars to Private Providers

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/level-playing-field-padded-public-dollars-private-providers

Municipal broadband networks have been gaining traction across the country. It’s easy to see why: In many rural and low-income communities, privately offered broadband services are nonexistent. In its 2012 Broadband Progress Report the Federal Communications Commission counted nearly 20 million Americans (the vast majority living in rural areas) beyond the reach of broadband. The… Continue reading